Firefly – half way point – ruin or building ?

As you reach the half way mark of this module- you should not forget that this is an educational project – run through “Life long Learning” Scotland and PACE Theatre.

It is intended to teach you valuable skills for your future – whatever form that may take and to ensure you understand completely the Learning Outcomes that have been set for you to achieve.

A few weeks in and many have reverted “to type” and are treating this like just another show – all fun and no xtra thought

What is the difference?

The difference is you have to learn through this project as a valid outcome – not just perform.

Learn :

To work effectively with people from all backgrounds and experience of drama – to come together as one strong creative performance unit

To produce an equal and valued quantity of practical work for this performance project through mixed creative production teams – dealing with interpersonal issues and differing working practises.

To push yourself creatively in performance terms and not rely on what you have done in the past – as measure of your future stage success.

To complete 6 differing Firefly Logs that detail all of the above.

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3 weeks in and many have yet to complete their part of the “Firefly” bargain.

Surely it wasn’t just the name and kudos of the programme that enticed you …but the work attached ?

Logs are an essential part of the assessment procedure for participation in this module. You knew that when you signed up.

The process by which you can submit logs and what form they can take has been explained to you on numerous occasions – some as always chose not to listen and state lack of time as an excuse for not understanding what is being asked of them – this excuse is wearing thin.

Yes you have school – but yes you do have times – and ways – in and around your pace time slots – that you can do this “seeming” chore and not have to put it off till at home and then completely forget because you are just too busy.

Logs are you simply writing up or photographing or creatively retelling your journey through Verona – bumpy bits and all – they are like a mini exhibition of your personal drama process through each week – a log of your presence :-

If that means you watched a programme on TV “about the Greeks” – you write about that and site the TV programme reference as evidence – explaining a bit about what you learned from it – how it has helped with work to do with Verona 13

“The Greatest Show on Earth” BBC4 – is a gift some of you are just not drama-wise enough to pursue. It has it all – in terms of education and Greek theatre info – and is quite easy to follow as documentaries go. Dr Michael Scott(the narrator) has shades of Indiana Jones about him!

If you had a bit of a ‘heart to heart’ with your tutor – you write about that and what you decided to do thereafter? Write your goals/ objectives for the next week.

If you had time in “creative production groups” – how did it go ? Maybe detail the problems you may have faced and how you overcame them – how easy/ hard is it to work with friends?

If you had work with a particular drama specialist – how did it change you – what doors did it open? Can you do something you couldn’t before?

If you had a rehearsal – what happened to you ? Sink or swim ? Was the brief challenging – what research had you to do for character work – how is your movement different – your voice – your emotional delivery?

If you met others from different STED programmes what did you share / learn / realise – how did you make them feel ?

If you just seemed to have hung around – what did you do to become more involved in what was going on and if that was nothing then what have you learned you should do in future so as not to appear hanging but doing.

Logs are your diary – logs show you were there. Logs will help you pass this with colours

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On the subject of absence…

You are going to miss the odd day perhaps and you may be unwell – this we know – but this you still don’t know:-

All Absences must be noted by letter and signed by a parent – yet a few are still absent without permission or prior notification – if unwell – an email to tutor may do in the short term but a letter must follow and be given to the course administrator ( Colleen) on your return – thesis a requirement and in your Handbook

If you have been told not to come in by a House Director use the time you would have been in Spires to make up hours – doing something to do with the project at home – a log – research – catch up on homework so as to give drama hours elsewhere to this project when you may need the time.

Manage your time better. Something may have to go when on this course – friends should still be there in October. You will have to manage your time at Uni/ College – good practise now.

Turning up for scheduled sessions is not enough – and although many may give the excuse of not being able to work because no script/music /movement or details of the show has been forthcoming – this is not acceptable for logging hours done. You can’t get credit for sitting doing “not a lot” or loafing around the scene.

You must be seen to be “actively” involved when in the Spires building – Module work is educational – and chatting in the reception area of Spires may be fun but is sadly not A rated.

Find things to “practically” do when attending – be of use to other working groups as guinea pigs for trying ideas or write up logs in this time – take photographs in rehearsals – sketch – read a Greek play – research material – don’t just sit back and wait to be fed!

Feed yourself – motivate yourself – to be a better part of this experience. Sit in on other production sessions – do not comment though – this is not your remit – it is theirs. Learn from their process to make “yours” work as well

Exhibition groups in both Houses I feel are dragging their heels in terms of effective working groups – too many people working in isolation or not working at all – you need to do something for this part of things now – have you thought about what you want each house member to do ? It is going to get to the show very soon and exhibitions will be rushed and patchy.

Exhibition work needs lots of photographic evidence – I have yet to see a camera or DVD around spires – 3 weeks have gone – 3 weeks of memories gone – 3 weeks of a record of events – why?!

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Tutor time:

By now your tutor will be asking to see you for a “catch up” on your progress and although David is still to meet with his students – mine in general have been a mixture of “on the right lines” – “not doing enough” or still “a touch confused” and “bemused by it all”.

Completely normal I may add – but all need to get down to work on what we discussed for our next meeting.

You will be asked the following 4/5 things to talk about in tutor sessions – so that we can support you:-

How are you managing your logs and research behind this production and your role in it?

How are you handling the inter student practical working relationships that you are now having to deal with as part of production group activity?

Do you require extra support or personal direction – intervention – when it comes to members of these groups and you – or do you need to work more on your own interpersonal skills( how you can work better with people) in dealing as a cooperative personality in these groups?

What is your overall goal for this module in terms of personal performance – either through voice and acting – physical performance – personal development – mindset and practical study?

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These tutor sessions are important as they let us see how you are progressing and may effect your overall module scoring potential.

David and I here to support not judge and to ensure you are benefitting fully from what this Module course is intended to deliver as an educational opportunity for the future. Talk to us – don’t wait to be questioned.

There is also a group tutor group session marked and we would like to see each ” island” grouping of students come together them selves in a more relaxed and informal setting to discuss their progress thus far.

The September Weekend is Ideal for this – you will all be in for rehearsals but could perhaps meet for coffee/ breakfast/ lunch to talk ( details of shows need not be discussed as you come from different houses – but the process of working with other personalities and creative hiccups is the same presumably for both)

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Time Sheets

Colleen and I have prepared time sheets for you to complete each week – we are aware how much time you are scheduled to be here – the week by week timetable details this – you can download this on STED

The student notional hours( your research / log/ practical learning time at home) are to be truthfully completed by you as a record of your progress in completing this module. Don’t guesstimate this time – be accurate – we can tell who is fudging by the way you respond on the sheet.

The Verona Project is certainly the core of this module but the great stuff that goes around it is all Firefly.

All of you have yet to get the balance of this right.

We have the old Veronites of yesteryear and the pressured newbies who are playing catch up – the Inbetweeners who don’t quite know one way or the other and those that deal with this as a solo exercise regardless of anything or anyone else.

This needs to change and you must become “one team with one Firefly modular goal”

Successful Firefly require :

Up to date log entries – varied entries – creative approach

Background research notes / info/ youtube links to help support your part in the production

Positive and effective working relationships beginning to take shape within the creative production groups and with the House Director/ Creative Teams in rehearsals

Completed and accurate time sheets for week 1/2/3

Tutor meeting number 1 completed

Working goal plan in place for rest of module – as detailed above in tutor info.

Have re-read the module handbook to remind them why you are here – aware of learning outcomes and module summary.

Absences noted in advance and all letters received by Colleen.

STED page activity as part of regular module activity

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If you feel you are lacking in any of the above – you should discuss this with your tutor at your next meeting. We will help get this sorted before it is too late.

Although Verona is 4 weeks on Friday – any student that we feel is still not living up to the high expectations set by entry into this programme – will be removed from the module – regardless of their part or creative involvement at this stage.

Know this as fact.We want this to be a great working module for the future – you as pioneers need to aim high in everything for those that will follow.

No one said Firefly would be easy but we did say that this is a module course not just a show – not just the winning of a challenge but the receiving of a qualification for life.

If you do not understand what is being asked of you here – then perhaps you are not ready for a course of this type.

Maturity takes different forms in drama but here it is about realising that the work is more important “off the stage” – than on.

House Directors are working incredibly hard but are not exempt from this – yours is a different journey perhaps but you are still Firefly at heart and adhere to the same conditions.